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Brussels Sprouts BRUSSELS SPROUTS Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera Brussels Sprouts are one of the cruciferous vegetables, part of the brassica family of vegetables (the largest vegetable family known – including cabbages, cauliflowers, broccoli, collards/ spring greens, kale, kohlrabi, turnips, and swede). Cruciferous (“cross-bearing”) from the shape of their flowers, whose four petals resemble a cross. They areContinue reading “Day 5 of 31 Vegetable Challenge”

Radicchio RADICCHIO Cichorium intybus var. foliosum A vibrant winter leaf that features a colorful red and white head with green outer leaves. Italians are crazy about its bold, bitter flavour: raw in salads, or stir fried, griddled or roasted until mellow. The trick is to balance it’s unique tang with sharp, salty and sweet flavours. In seasonContinue reading “Day 4 of 31 Vegetable Challenge”

Winter squash SQUASH Cucurbita Winter squash and pumpkin originate in the Americas, where their ancestors grew wild as climbers, but are now grown around the globe and flourish in the UK.  There are many varieties of squash and pumpkin, some taste better than others.  Although they are botanically a fruit, they function more like aContinue reading “Day 3 of 31 Vegetable Challenge”

Celariac CELERIAC (Celery root) Apium graveolens var. rapaceum Celeriac (celery root, knob celery or turnip-rooted celery) is a root vegetable that belongs to the same plant family as celery. It is knobbly, much overlooked and rather alien looking. It’s covered in strange appendages, mud-filled crevices and warty protrusions and considered by some to look like a mandrake from HarryContinue reading “Day 2 of 31 Vegetable Challenge”

Calabrese Broccoli Calabrese Broccoli Broccoli is a green vegetable that vaguely resembles a miniature tree. It is an Italian word, derived from the Latin brachial (meaning arm or branch). It belongs to the plant species known as Brassica oleracea. It’s closely related to cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale and cauliflower — all edible plants collectively referred toContinue reading “Day 1 of 31 Vegetable Challenge”

31 Vegetable Challenge Firstly, I thought I had better find out what actually defines a vegetable! “Vegetables are the parts of plants that are consumed by humans or other animals as food. The original meaning is still commonly used and is applied to plants collectively to refer to all edible plant matter, including the flowers,Continue reading “Definition of a Vegetable”

For the month of January, I challenge myself to eat 31 different vegetables; each one a significant component of a meal. My challenge is to aim to photograph and describe the vegetable and meal every day for the month of January – but no penalties. Just 31 vegetables by the 31st! Good morning, on theContinue reading “The 31 Vegetable Challenge, January 2021”

Foraging in the garden (and beyond) for edible flowers and leaves, Foraging and gardening resources, Recipes: Wild garlic pesto, Dandelion cordial, Nettle bread. . “Have nothing in your garden that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful” Mis-quoted of Willam Morris . My 7-year-old son and I were in theContinue reading “Eating the flowers – Foraging in the garden and beyond”

My “active choice” eating plan, Michael Pollan’s 7 words on eating, Developing fruit in the garden, Mindful eating, Nurturing a sourdough (day 2-4) and recipe for Spiced rosemary roasted nuts. An ‘ACTIVE CHOICE’ eating plan Having explored lots of ideas regarding eating plans, searching for an effective framework for myself, the ideas listed below areContinue reading “Savouring the fruit of your labours”

Rhubarb (Rheum hybridum) Rhubarb is a versatile vegetable.  In my opinion it is also handsome, delicious and eagerly anticipated. Technically it is a vegetable, although in 1947 New York it was legally declared to be a fruit. There is a wealth of recipes for ways to prepare it, way beyond rhubarb crumble; sweet, savoury andContinue reading “Rhubarb and the Zester”